Health Physics Questions and Answers - Question 204

Question 204:

(a) Licensees may apply under 10 CFR 20.1301 (c) to operate at a higher annual dose limit of 500 millirem to individual members of the public. How long will this 500 millirem limit apply to the licensee?

(b) Can a licensee apply for an authorization to operate at this higher limit indefinitely?

Answer:

(a) The 0.5 rem per year limit is intended to be applied primarily to temporary situations where operation of the facility, or public exposure to radiation, is not expected to result in doses above 0.1 rem over long periods of time. 20.1301 (c) (1) requires that the licensee specify the expected duration of operation in excess of the limit. The Commission will only approve such applications if the licensee provides all of the information specified in 10 CFR 20.1301 (c), and if the information is acceptable.

(b) It is unlikely that the Commission will approve a request to operate at the higher limit indefinitely.

(Reference: 10 CFR 20.1301)